Democratic candidate Willie Rowe elected as Wake County's new sheriff

As winner of the race for Wake County Sheriff, Democratic candidate Willie Rowe will have to work to solve issues like staffing shortages among first responders, gun violence towards deputies, building meaningful connections with their community and managing an increase in violent crime in Wake County.

Republican candidate and former sheriff Donnie Harrison lost to Willie Rowe in the Nov. 8 general election.

With 99% of precincts reporting, Rowe found himself with a sizable lead, holding 233,992 votes to Harrison's 203,005. Holding roughly 53% of the vote, Rowe held a solid lead all evening.

In an emotional concession speech, Harrison had kind things to say about Rowe, who he said is a friend and will make a good sheriff.

“We both knew we had our work cut out for us, and he can do it. and that makes me feel a lot better to know that we have somebody in there that can do the job," Harrison said. "Honestly I was going to ask him, if I won, to come to work for me. I really was, if he wanted to. He is a good man.”

Complete, up-to-date 2022 November Election Results

Rowe's acceptance speech focused on bringing people together. Rowe, who has served beneath both former Sheriff Gerald Baker and former Sheriff Donnie Harrison, said he's learned a lot from both of them. He thanked Harrison for a great campaign.

"It's about everybody working together for the common good," he said.

He emphasized that not everyone has the same opportunities in life, and he wants to help ensure citizens are on a level playing ground.

An Army veteran, Rowe also serves as chairman of the Wake County ABC Board. He served the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for 28 years.

Rowe retired from the sheriff’s office as a major in April 2013.

“I seek to be sheriff because I have a passion for public safety, and I believe people live life to the fullest when they feel safe,” Rowe said. “That’s my goal, my passion, to make Wake County the safest place to live, work, play and visit.”

Rowe says many issues can be handled without law enforcement being present. He aims to create a unit of unarmed responders to address calls for mental health, drug addiction and domestic violence.

Harrison served in law enforcement for more than 40 years with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. Harrison served as sheriff of Wake County from 2002-2018 before losing to incumbent Gerald Baker.

“That’s all I ever wanted to do in my life was be in law enforcement, and with the way crime is going on now … nobody respects anybody anymore,” Harrison said. “I feel like with my leadership, the experience that I have, knowing the people that I already know after being in law enforcement for as long as I’ve been – as 16 years as sheriff – I feel sure that quickly I can bring some order back in this county.”

Harrison says he believes the county has been soft on crime, saying, "We’ve got to go back and enforce the law like it should be."

Harrison and Rowe agreed on working together as a community.

“We’ve got to forget about Republican or Democrat, where people are from,” Harrison said. “It doesn't make any difference about their color, we want a safer community, and to do that, we’ve got to come together.”

Complete, up-to-date 2022 November Election Results